The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-12-24
JINKSEY'S MISTAKE;
And How "Billy" Found Home
at Cedar Farm.

"Say. Jinksey, wot d. yer think of tina,
Gar stytel reckon she's come inter town
-ts buy the Liberty statue for somebody's
New Years present, an amt quite sure
how she'll carry it home"
Jinksey turned as his companion, rather
disreputable looking young gentleman in
the boot blackening business, thus called
his attention to little girl about ten years
Ssf age, who, with the most disconsolate ex-
preston of face, was coming timidly out
Of the Grand Central depot. That she had
never been in the city before one could
fancy from the alarm she exhibited at find
ing herself in the hurrying, bustling crowd,
where the yells of the cab-drivers drowned
even the rattle of wheels on the pavement,
and made what, to ears unaccustomed TO
such noises, must have sounded like the
roar of a supposed ogre in fairy tale.
"Wanter shine?" Jinksey's friend cried,
as he rushed forward in a manner well cal
cHlated to yet further confuse the fright
-esied stranger, and pointed to her thick
shoes, which betckened intimate acquain-
tance with country roads. "Givc yer "a boss
shine fur a dime, an two tickets to the
Eden Museum thrown in"
F'Hold on, Bill! the lady's lOoliin' fur a
cab, an hasn't got any time to fool with
you" Jinksey shouted, as he pulled his
friend aside, and stepped forward with q
grotesque show of mock pollteuess as if to
lead her TO one of the many vehicles that
were ranged in line at the edge Of the curb
stone.
The little girl looked around in be-
wildered fear, seeking some one to whom
she could appeal for protection against the
rough-appearing and decidedly olhcious
Ooys; but in vain. The policeman had
sther work on hand just then, and every
person near was so engrossed with business
or pleasure that frightened child was not
likeiy to attract much attention.
''Shall show yer the way to the Bruins
wick, or are yer waiting fur the Mayor to
comes Hos jest hawai- swell dinner
with a partic' lar friend of ourn, an l reckon
he's forgot what time the cars get here"
and Billy concluded his information by
giving representation to the best of his
knowledge, of an Indian war dance, such
as he had seen at the Wild West show.
From the whirling, shrieking boy to the
turrying pedestrians the girl gazed in
piteous appeal until the big tears, which
had been standing very near her eyelids
when she emerged from the building be-
gan to run down over tho checks which the
last wind Of the old year was tinging a
BLUSH hue.
The sight of the crystal drops, together
with the imploring glances, brought Master
Billy jackson to a standsill very suddenly,
aad he cried in an angry tone as he swung
bus business es Adjustment, represented by
a box containing backing and brushes,
dangerously near his friends head:
'Wot's ther use pclSin' on little girl
what amt got nobody to take her part, Tim
Jenkss Why don't you let her alone while
stse finds whoever she's loGkin' fora"
Il amt q picllin' on her." Jnksey replied
emphatically, for his conscience was prick
ing him very sharply because of the part
he had played in calling forth the tears.
~'Say, sis, tell us where you wanter go, an
we'll take you there, il us plum over to
Ho}sokeB"
Tue child walked on as il anxious to es-
cane frem those whom she quite naturally
Cooked upon as her tormentors, and the
boys followed her contritely, each trying to
atoue by friendly speeches for the distress
he had caused.
''Don't cry, sissy; we won't cut up rough
any more, an we wouldn't IA done it al the
start if we'd "a knowed you felt SO bad"
Billy pleaded, after they had followed her
as far as Fifth avenue, and she stood on
the corner undecided which way to turn.
Where is it yer wanter goa"
Grandfather wrote that he'd Gene for
me when the cars got in, and l can't find
aim anywhere. l was going home with
him to stay a week, and now he's lost
sle's-"
IL was as if giving words to her trouble
sad caused it to increase, and she burst
into such food of tears that the boys
began in turn to look alarmed.
-'if you hadn't posed fun at her first I'd
never said q word" Master Jackson cried,
reproachfully, and looking very much as if
ne would like to whip somebody or get
whipped, as a sort of safety-valve for the
indignation which had been aroused by his
own behavior.
Jinksey probably realized that the reproof
was well merited, even though he had not
begun the cruel sport, for he made no angry
reply, as would have been the case under
other circumstances, but devoted his entire
attention to soothing the child's grief.
''See here" he said. as he laid his some
what soiled hand kindly on her shoulder.
4'I'm mighty sorry we made yer feel bad,
stu We won even ylp az III IL LuaJ IL nldht
It square; but il YOU could tell us where
you live. or where Their old mani mean
yer anfather-lives jest as likely as not
I'VE could help you some"
IL came from Saybrook, and grandfather's
Farm is somewhere in place they call
Long Island"
Didn't you have anybody with youp
"No; he was going to meet me at the
depot, so mother thought 1 could come
alSne," and now tho grief was represented
by sobs, rather than tears, so consoling was
tae show Of sympathy made by her COM
lpanions. NV hat will doi How can find
Aimw
''Jinksoy an I'll have to fix that some
way; but don't know jest how yet. Wot's
yer RameW
Daisy Pratt, an Two got twenty-five